Why utilities and environmentalists can find common (green) ground

“More Americans have installed rooftop solar panels, which further reduces demand. Many in the power industry worry about the sustainability of their traditional business model.

Environmentalists fear losing ground during an Administration that has repudiated the Paris climate accord and the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.

Here’s the deal: the power industry commits to an even cleaner grid in exchange for support from environmentalists on electrification. This allows the power industry’s on-going decarbonization to be leveraged throughout the economy.

For utilities, electrification is the silver bullet to flat demand. A 2017 Brattle Group study concluded that the widespread electrification of transportation and space heating could nearly double utility sales by 2050 while achieving deep decarbonization.”

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The Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator position was created by the California Public Utilities Commission in its decision on 2010-2012 public goods charge energy efficiency programs.

The position is funded by California investor-owned utilities: Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas Company. The Coordinator is overseen by three non-government organizations, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, the Institute for Local Government, and the Local Government Commission.